#6

                                        THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

   The meaning of the word “Church” comes from a combination of two words, one from the Greek, ‘ekklesia’ means “to call out”. Another word is combined with “ekklesia” which is from the Hebrew language and that is ‘qahal’ which means “congregation, assembly, or company”. Combining these two words, we get “a called out assembly” which is a commonly used expression to proclaim what the word Church means. A more expansive meaning of the word ‘ekklesia’ is used throughout the N.T. writings giving the meaning to be “the people of God” and this meaning is most commonly used in the N.T.

·        THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH- The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the N.T. Church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:19).

·        THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDEGROOM – The Lord Jesus is the Church’s bridegroom (Mathew 9:15; 25:1, 6; John 3:29; Revelation 21:2).

·        THE CHURCH IS CHRIST’S BRIDE- The Church will one day be married to Christ (Isaiah 62:5; II Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2; 22:17)                      

                                         I. THE ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH

   When and where did the Church actually begin? Here we are confronted with many different points of view. Many Godly men have several different theories that they try to substantiate with Bible Scriptures and they all have great arguments. In order to save time and arguments, we will put forth the most commonly used theory and the reasons why.

The bulk of Bible students and scholars hold to the position that the Church began at Pentecost. The day of Pentecost marking the beginning of the Church seems evident for the following reasons:

A. The Lord spoke of the Church as being in the future in (Mathew 16:18). One could take this as meaning the Church did not exist in Old Testament times.

B. The resurrection and ascension of Christ are essential to the functioning of the Church. It is built on the resurrection (Ephesians 1:19, 20). Also, the giving of gifts is required for the operation of the Church and this is also dependent on Christ being ascended (Ephesians 4:7-12).

C. The principle evidence that the Church began at Pentecost concerns the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit. The Lord declared that this particular and distinctive ministry of the Holy Spirit was still in the future just before His ascension (Acts 1:4, 5). It was on the day of Pentecost that this first occurred (Acts 11:15, 16).

D. Further evidence of the Church originating at Pentecost is that the very thing that the Spirit does for us is found in (1 Corinthians 12:13), and that is He places us in the body of Christ, or in the Church. Since this is the only way to enter the body, and since this work of the Holy Spirit first occurred on the day of Pentecost, then the obvious conclusion is that the Church first began on the day of Pentecost.

                              II. THE NATURE (MAKE-UP) OF THE CHURCH

   The most commonly accepted position of most students, pastors, and scholars on what and who makes up the Church is the following: The New Testament Church refers to all believers (including living and departed believers) and individual local assemblies, saved from the day of Pentecost until the rapture (I Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 5:25-32; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 19:6-9).

                                      III. THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

A. (Revelation 2:4) Our purpose is to love Jesus Christ first in everything we say or do.

B. (Ephesians 1:5, 6, 11, 12, 14; 3:21; II Thessalonians 1:12) We are to glorify God.

                                               (HOW TO GLORIFY GOD)

   a. (Psalms 50:23; John 14:13; Hebrews 13:15) Through praise and prayer.

   b. (John 15:8) Through our fruit bearing.

   c. (Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 13:16) Through our giving.

   d. (I Peter 4:11) Through our preaching and our ministries.

   e. (Romans 15:5, 6) Through our loving.

   f. (Philippians 2:9-11) Through acknowledging God’s Son.

   g. (Romans 4:20) Through believing on God’s Word.

   h. II Thessalonians 3:1) Through our witnessing.

                                     IV.  FUNCTIONS OF THE CHURCH

A. (Ephesians 2:7; 3:6, 10; I Peter 2:9) We are to display God’s grace.

B. (Mathew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21) We are to evangelize the world.

C. (Mathew 28:19) The Church is to baptize believers.

D. (Mathew 28:19; Philippians 4:8;  I Timothy 4:6) The Church is to instruct believers.

E. (I Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:11, 12,16; II Peter 3:18) We are to edify believers.

 F. The Church is to discipline believers. There are three kinds of N.T. discipline.

   a. Self-discipline (I Corinthians 11:31; II Corinthians 7:1; I John 3:3)

   b. Sovereign (from God) discipline (John 15:2; Acts 5:5, 10; Hebrews 12:9, 10; I Peter 4:17).

   c. Church discipline (Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1; Titus 6:10).

G. (Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 1:9; II Corinthians 8:4; 13:14; Galatians 2:9; Philippians 1:5) The Church is to provide fellowship for believers.

H. Ephesians 5:11; I Timothy 5:20) We are to rebuke sin in each other.

I. (II Corinthians 2:6, 8; Ephesians 4:32) We are to forgive one another.

J. (Galatians 6:2) We are to bear one another’s burdens.

K. (James 5:16) We are to pray for one another.

L. (I Peter 1:22) We are to love one another.

   The Church is the place where God’s people can get the necessary instruction and direction for our lives (II Timothy 2:15).

   The Church is also a place where we as believers can “grow in grace and knowledge” about our Lord and savior (II Peter 3:18).

   When we do not have our Church attendance in the right priority, we fail to be obedient to the Scripture (Hebrew 10:25) and we are sinning against the very God who saved us and gave Himself for His Church (Ephesians 5:25).

God bless